University of California men’s basketball coach Cuonzo Martin has agreed to a contract extension with the Golden Bears through the 2020-21 season.
Martin, who is in his third year at the helm of the program, has guided Cal to a 41-26 record over his first two seasons. Last year, the Bears finished 23-11 overall, tied for third in the Pac-12 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament as a No. 4 seed – the highest regional seed in school history.
In addition to Cal’s results on the court, the Bears produced an Academic Progress Rate score of 1,000 – the highest possible – for the 2014-15 academic year, Martin’s first full season overseeing the program.
“Coach Martin is a proven educator who has created a culture of success on the court, in the classroom and in our community,” Director of Athletics Mike Williams said. “He truly cares about his student-athletes beyond the arena with a commitment to prepare them for life after Cal. For the continued success of our men’s basketball program, it is important that we make a proper investment, and given the levels of accomplishment have seen through his first two seasons in Berkeley, we are excited about the direction we are heading with Cuonzo as our coach.”
“I’m proud of what we’ve been able to achieve so far here in Berkeley, and I’m thankful for the opportunity to continue to build the Cal men’s basketball program,” Martin said. “We’re just getting started, and we’ll continue to work tirelessly to shape our men into leaders on and off the court. I’m grateful to the university and athletic department for their support of our program and my commitment to Cal. I take great pride in being a member of the Cal family.”
During the 2015-16 campaign, Martin guided Cal to a school-record 18-0 mark inside Haas Pavilion. The Bears led the Pac-12 in scoring defense (67.3 ppg), field goal percentage defense (39.6%) and fewest 3-pointers allowed (5.4 per game).
Individually, Jaylen Brown was voted the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year and first-team All-Pac-12. Freshman Ivan Rabb earned all-freshman, second-team All-Pac-12 and All-Pac-12 Tournament honors, while Tyrone Wallace was an honorable mention All-Pac-12 choice and Stephen Domingo and Sam Singer earned Pac-12 All-Academic recognition.
Brown was taken with the third overall pick of the 2016 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics, and Wallace was chosen in the second round by the Utah Jazz.
Cal opens the 2016-17 season Nov. 11 when the Bears host South Dakota State at Haas Pavilion. Cal will also host an exhibition game at Haas on Thursday, Nov. 3 vs. Cal Baptist.
